The journey to the capital only takes 4 hours.

The first expressway to Ha Tinh

At exactly 5:30 PM on June 29th, in the presence of numerous leaders from ministries, localities, and the people of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, the Ministry of Transport and the consortium of investors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the remaining 19km of the North-South Expressway project, the Dien Chau - Bai Vot section.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the highway that has arrived in Ha Tinh.

This is one of three expressway projects implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) model and also the final piece in the 11 component projects of the North-South expressway in the 2017-2020 period, with a total length of 652.86km.

The completion of the final 19km not only enables the entire Dien Chau - Bai Vot section of the expressway to be fully operational along its total length of 49km, but also shortens travel time from Hanoi to Ha Tinh to just under 4 hours instead of over 6 hours as before.

Mr. Pham Dinh Hanh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Phuc Thanh Hung Investment Joint Stock Company, representing the consortium of investors, stated: The Dien Chau - Bai Vot section of the investment project has a total length of 49.3km, passing through two provinces: Nghe An (44km) and Ha Tinh (5km). The total investment capital for the project is VND 11,157 billion, invested under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan, the journey of constructing and completing the Dien Chau - Bai Vot expressway was a journey of overcoming countless difficulties.

The project is under the authority of the Ministry of Transport. Project Management Board 6 is the project management agency. The investor is a consortium: Hoa Hiep Co., Ltd. - CIENCO4 Group - Nui Hong Co., Ltd. - Truong Son Construction Corporation - VINA 2 Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company. The project enterprise is Phuc Thanh Hung Investment Joint Stock Company.

The project commenced in May 2021. After three years of construction, on April 30, 2024, the contractors completed and opened the first 30km of the route (from the intersection with National Highway 7 in Dien Chau to the intersection with National Highway 46B in Vinh City), ensuring smooth travel for the people during the anniversary celebrations. The remaining section required an additional two months of work due to the need to address weak soil conditions.

Speaking on behalf of the engineers and workers on the construction site, engineer Nguyen Quang Trung from CIENCO 4 Group shared: Due to the complex terrain, the road mainly passes through rice paddies, ponds, swamps, and streams, so dealing with the weak soil foundation takes a lot of time.

During the construction process, the team of officials and engineers overcame many difficulties, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the harsh weather conditions in the North Central region. With a spirit of overcoming sun and rain, staying on site, and continuously working overtime throughout holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), the project has now been completed safely, with guaranteed quality, progress, and aesthetics.

Attending the inauguration ceremony were Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan and former Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat.

"Personally, I and all the officials, engineers, and workers on the project are deeply moved and proud that the road has met the conditions for traffic flow along its entire length, as directed by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Transport," engineer Trung expressed.

Mr. Vo Trong Hai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province, emphasized: The North-South Expressway project (eastern section, 2017-2020) is a key national project with a very large amount of land to be cleared. In particular, the Dien Chau - Bai Vot section through Ha Tinh province affects 46 hectares and 980 households.

Recognizing the importance of the project, Ha Tinh province mobilized the entire political system, established a Steering Committee for Land Clearance, closely coordinated with the investor, focused on land clearance, ensured security and order, and met the progress requirements of the Government and the Ministry of Transport.

Mr. Hai affirmed: "Today's opening ceremony is of special importance, shortening the travel time between Ha Tinh province and Hanoi, and reducing traffic pressure on National Highway 1. At the same time, the project also contributes to promoting regional linkages in accordance with Resolution 39 of the Politburo, helping localities open up new opportunities for socio-economic development, creating favorable conditions to promote the flow of goods, attract investment, and ensure national defense and security."

Representatives from the leadership of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces attended the ceremony, sharing their joy with the investor, project enterprise, and construction units.

The journey of overcoming challenges to bring the project to completion.

Sharing the joy with investors, construction units, the government and people of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan said: The Dien Chau - Bai Vot expressway project is being implemented under a BOT contract and was started by investors in 2021. However, during the construction process, many difficulties were encountered, such as: implementation coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring social distancing and affecting negotiations for credit financing for the project.

The project spans multiple areas with complex terrain and geology, requiring sophisticated engineering design solutions to ensure construction quality; fuel and construction material prices fluctuate significantly due to global influences; and there is a shortage of embankment fill material. These difficulties have significantly impacted the progress of project implementation.

Mr. Pham Dinh Hanh - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Phuc Thanh Hung Investment Joint Stock Company, representing the consortium of investors, shared the journey of overcoming difficulties and completing the project.

However, thanks to the decisive and consistent attention and guidance of the Government and the Prime Minister; the support and close coordination of central ministries and agencies; and the involvement of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, many solutions have been implemented to overcome difficulties, thus accelerating the progress of the Project.

For us, the Ministry of Transport has launched emulation movements to motivate and encourage units to have even greater determination and effort to overcome difficulties caused by the pandemic and unfavorable weather, working day and night, in "3 shifts and 4 teams," "eating quickly and sleeping urgently," working through holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), to bring the Project into operation on schedule and ensure the required quality.

"To date, we have completed the tasks of Resolution No. 52 of the 14th National Assembly, which is to build 654km of the North-South East Expressway, and recorded a total of 2,020km of expressways put into operation nationwide; and we will continue to strive to complete and put into operation approximately 3,000km by 2025 as directed by the Prime Minister," - Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan

Mr. Vo Trong Hai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province, expressed his joy and excitement at the arrival of the expressway in Ha Tinh.

To further enhance exploitation capacity and maximize investment efficiency in the coming period, Deputy Minister Tuan requested Project Management Board 6, the consortium of investors: Hoa Hiep Limited Liability Company - CIENCO4 Group Joint Stock Company - Nui Hong Investment Limited Liability Company - Truong Son Corporation - VINA2 Joint Stock Company; and the consulting and construction units to continue to demonstrate the highest sense of responsibility, ensuring absolute safety during operation and exploitation; and at the same time, focus on completing the access road items and the settlement and payment of the project according to the required schedule.

At the same time, the Ministry of Transport also requested localities to continue coordinating with functional forces of the transport sector in the process of organizing operation and exploitation; to study and promptly implement investment in connecting transport infrastructure systems according to the plan to maximize investment efficiency, create breakthrough momentum, expand the socio-economic development space of their localities, and improve the lives of people in the project area; and to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people to participate in protecting transport infrastructure, strictly comply with legal regulations and principles of safe traffic participation.

Engineer Nguyen Quang Trung from CIENCO 4 Group, representing the construction units, shared his joy at the project's opening to traffic along its entire length.

Starting at 7:00 AM on June 30, 2024, vehicles are officially permitted to travel on the Dien Chau - Bai Vot section of the expressway.

Starting at 7:00 AM on June 30, 2024, vehicles are officially permitted to travel on the Dien Chau - Bai Vot section of the expressway. According to the traffic management plan approved by the Ministry of Transport, in the initial phase, vehicles are allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 90 km/h and a minimum speed of 60 km/h, including: passenger cars, buses, and trucks ≤ 10 tons.

The following vehicles are prohibited from using the highway: trucks exceeding 10 tons, motorcycles, mopeds, tractors, specialized vehicles with speeds ≤70 km/h, non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrians. Furthermore, drivers on the highway must comply with regulations regarding road load limits, width restrictions, and safety rules as stipulated by current laws (vehicles are prohibited from entering emergency stopping areas and shoulder areas; in cases of emergency stopping or parking, drivers must move their vehicles to the emergency lane, place warning signs, and notify the emergency hotline...).

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/thong-xe-tuyen-cao-toc-dau-tien-ve-ha-tinh-ra-thu-do-chi-con-4-tieng-192240629152321882.htm